ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½

Gamelan, the term for a traditional musical ensemble in Indonesia, typically refers to a percussion orchestra composed predominantly of tuned gongs of various types and metal-keyed instruments. The ensemble is conducted by a drummer, and often includes voice, bamboo flute, xylophone, and stringed instruments. The most well-known gamelan ensembles are those from the islands of Java and Bali.

The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College Gamelan Orchestra serves as an Indonesian music study group, performance ensemble, and provides ceremonial music for college events. The group plays traditional and contemporary music of West Java (Sunda), Central Java, and new music for gamelan by North American composers. Students enrolled in a variety of music and anthropology courses have the opportunity for a hands-on experience with the instruments as part of their coursework.

For several decades, the presence of gamelan orchestras on college campuses both in the U.S. and abroad beyond Indonesia has been steadily increasing. The inclusion of such an ensemble from outside of the West serves multiple roles within an academic setting. The mission of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College Gamelan Orchestra includes the following goals:

• To provide a bridge to Southeast Asian culture
• To provide an alternative way to think about human organization of sound and musical expression
• To create a performing opportunity for students at all levels of musical competence
• To provide interdisciplinary bridges to other subjects such as Asian Studies, Anthropology, and Cultural Psychology
• To provide an intercultural experience and model the College’s commitment to Diversity

The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College Gamelan Orchestra comprises two sets of instruments, representing two regional musical traditions from the island of Java. Gamelan Mawar Mekar (“Blossom of Inspiration”) is a Central Javanese iron/brass set built by Mulyadi in Solo, Java in 1997, acquired by ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ in 2001. In 2007, a 7-piece bronze chamber ensemble from West Java known as gamelan degung was generously donated to the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Music Department by David Lydgate of Kaua’i, Hawaii.

The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College Gamelan Orchestra hosts Indonesian visiting artists on a regular basis. These performers typically work with the ensemble towards a particular event such as a concert of instrumental music, a dance performance, or traditional puppet theater performances. Indonesian artists who have held guest residencies at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ include Kuwat (2002), Midiyanto (2003), Joko Susilo (2003-2004), Otong and Atik Rasta (2004), Undang Sumarna (2005, 2006, 2008), Euis Komariah & Gangan Garmana (2007), Nano S. (2008), Burhan Sukarma (2008) and Wahyu Roche, Ening Rumbini, and Rina Oesmann in (2009). Additional guest instructors and performers have included I.M. Harjito, Sumarsam, Ben Arcangel, Jody Diamond, and Andy Bouchard.

The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College Gamelan Orchestra ensemble typically performs at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ once per semester and often participates in World Music Weekend at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ in early spring. The group has also performed at Bowdoin College, The University of Maine at Augusta, and the Orion Performing Arts Center in Topsham, Maine.

In addition to its gamelan orchestra, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College houses the Eisler Shadow-Puppet Collection. Consisting of over 200 traditional Central Javanese puppets used in the performance of shadow plays, the collection is on long-term permanent loan to the College by Mr. David Eisler of Dover, New Hampshire.

The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College Gamelan Orchestra, which maintains the only gamelan sets in the state of Maine, welcomes new members on an ongoing basis. For more information contact Gina Fatone at gfatone@bates.edu or 207-753-6968.